Question Details

The sum of three consecutive integers is equal to their product. How many such possibilities are there?

Options

A

Only one

B

Only two

C

Only three

D

No such possibility is there

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option C

Only three

Solution :

The correct option is Only three.

Let us denote the three consecutive integers as n-1, n, and n+1, where n is an integer.

According to the problem statement, the sum of these three consecutive integers is equal to their product. We can set up this relationship mathematically:
(n-1)+n+(n+1)=(n-1)·n·(n+1)

First, simplify the left side of the equation by adding the terms together:
(n-1)+n+(n+1)=3n

Next, simplify the right side of the equation using the difference of squares identity, (n-1)(n+1)=n2-1:
(n-1)·n·(n+1)=n(n2-1)=n3-n

Now, equate the simplified left side and right side:
3n=n3-n

Rearrange the terms to form a polynomial equation set to zero:
n3-4n=0

Factor out the common term n from the expression:
n(n2-4)=0

Further factor the quadratic part using the difference of squares:
n(n-2)(n+2)=0

This equation yields three distinct integer solutions for n:
1) n=0
2) n=2
3) n=-2

Let us determine the three consecutive integers corresponding to each value of n and verify them:
Case 1: For n=0, the integers are -1, 0, and 1.
Sum: -1+0+1=0
Product: (-1)·0·1=0 (Valid)

Case 2: For n=2, the integers are 1, 2, and 3.
Sum: 1+2+3=6
Product: 1·2·3=6 (Valid)

Case 3: For n=-2, the integers are -3, -2, and -1.
Sum: (-3)+(-2)+(-1)=-6
Product: (-3)·(-2)·(-1)=-6 (Valid)

Thus, there are exactly three such possibilities.

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